The double-edged sword

Revelation 1:16  "In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword.  His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

John's description of Jesus withdrawing a double-edged sword from His mouth is symbolic of the double-edged nature of His Word.  The Word of the Lord carried with it two aspects: 1) rights, and 2) responsibilities. 

The Word of the Lord shares with us the greatest news of grace, mercy, redemption and joy that we could ever hear.  We are quick to point to these parts of God's Word and rejoice (rightfully) in the blessing they bring to our lives.  When we freely choose passages of Scripture to read for encouragement, we choose passages that remind us of God's promises to us and the glorious inheritance to which we have been made heirs.

But then there is the other edge of the sword- responsibility.  Anytime we are granted rights that have value, there are related responsibilities that are transferred to us, as well.  God calls us to obey His commands and to live according to these commands.  These commands ask some difficult things of us, but it is for our joy and prosperity.  Obedience leads to a life that is infinitely more complete and fulfilling than what we try to create on our own.  But living this life isn't easy, nor is it supposed to be.  The good things in life aren't free.

We are quick, as human beings, to speak out when our rights are violated.  We are less eager to call attention to the responsibilities to which we are not being held accountable.  We are quick to seek and protect our reward, but not as eager to take on the responsibilities.  If we could understand and view the responsibilities as a pathway to the reward rather than a restriction on our rights, I believe we would more full embrace what God has called us into.